James Arthur has shunned reports he was dropped by his record label Syco, saying as far as he knows "nothing's changed".

Reports initially suggested the X Factor winner was fired by boss Simon Cowell after more controversial lyrics in his new material, including the disturbing line: “I am going to blow your family up like I am a terrorist."

And now he has spoken out about the claims and put a firm stop to all of them.

"People make up stories...which is something I'm not really sure how to handle, I don't know what to say about it. As far as I know I've got a record deal and nothing's changed," he told the East Anglian Daily Times.

"Obviously Syco and X Factor won't be happy with some of the things I've said against the brand which weren't intended in the way they've been taken.

(Photo: FilmMagic)

"I don't ever want to come across as a media-trained, vacant, glossy-eyed popstar who doesn't want to connect with the world, with normal people."

He added: "I think a lot of these popstars these days are trained to seem out of reach, out of touch, inaccessible to people to give them that star quality."

It seems some things HAVE changed though, because the singer has undergone a bit of a makeover - which includes new dark hair, a whole new wardrobe and even more importantly, a rare smile.